Aging, Dying, and Awakening (264R21)

Registration open until the end of the day (Pacific Time) on May 25, 2021. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early.

Open to folks age 55 and older.

Retreat Description:
Living life fully includes aging and dying. It’s a natural process and ripe with spiritual possibilities. Aging brings loss; what we once assumed to be “ours” slips away, revealing the pervasive truth of impermanence. But even as our memory slides, our cognitive speed slows down, our bodies become more fragile, and qualities of the heart reveal themselves. We see that the potential for wisdom and compassion does not depend on the state of the body or on our age, but rather on the training of the mind to abide in timeless awareness. It is best to begin this training before you are ill or dying. Then, like a treasured friend, your own mind can accompany you through the challenges of aging, loss, illness and dying. Right now, we know we will die but we do not know when or how. Through engaging in a variety of contemplations on death in the communal space of retreat, our confidence in our capacity to meet death peacefully increases.

Join a group of your peers who are interested in life after 55 as a new stage of life, one which offers opportunities for deepening in wisdom and compassion, and loosening our fears around dying. Teachings will offer a blend of the traditional ancient wisdom of the Buddhadharma with more contemporary views and resources for helping us prepare for death. This is a silent retreat with one period a day of interactive contemplative inquiry in dyads or small groups. In addition, there will be daily instructions in mindfulness, meetings with the teachers, dharma talks and qigong.

This retreat will include daily Inquiry Sessions that include small breakout groups as well as an interactive main room. The Inquiry Sessions not optional; they are a central component of the retreat, and all participants will be expected to participate.

All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.

General Daily Schedule (Times are Pacific Time)

Opening Day
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Zoom Orientation and Tech Open House (Optional Support)
3:00 PM – 5:20 PM Welcome and Opening Session
5:20 PM Evening Personal Practice (self-guided)

Main Days
5:45 AM – 6:30 AM Morning Practice
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM Meal Break (off Zoom)
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Morning Instructions
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM Moving Meditation and Small Groups (for some)
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Sitting Meditation
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Walking Meditation and Small Groups (for some)
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Sitting Meditation
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Meal Break
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Sitting Meditation
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Inquiry (this session is interactive, and all participants are required to attend)
4:00 PM- 4:30 PM Sitting Meditation
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM Meal Break
5:45 PM – 6:30 PM Dharma Talk
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Moving Meditation
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Sitting Meditation
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM Moving Meditation (self-guided)
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM Sitting Meditation (self-guided)
8:30 PM – 9:00 PM Moving Meditation (self-guided)
9:00 PM Further personal practice and rest (self-guided)

Closing Day
5:45 AM – 6:30 AM Morning Practice
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM Meal Break (off Zoom)
7:30 AM – 8:15 AM Sitting Meditation
8:15 AM – 9:00 AM Moving Meditation
9:00 AM -11:00 AM Closing Session (all please attend)